Today was the constitutional referendum in Iraq and now the polls are closed. The ballot consisted of a single question, written in both Arabic and Kurdish: “Do you agree on the permanent constitution project?”

Such a simple thing, yet it was a day of trepidation, of hope, of immense symbolism and of surprises.

In the 19 days before the vote terrorists killed almost 450 Iraqis and promised more bloodshed to keep citizens away from the polls. On the eve of the vote there were widespread power outages in Baghdad when terrorists blew up power lines.

But power was restored in short order and the ten hours from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. today were largely peaceful. It is estimated that 61% of the 15.5 million registered voters participated today, meaning that well over nine million Iraqis braved the threats to make their voice heard.

A day that U.S. and Iraqi leaders feared could turn bloody turned out to be the most peaceful in months.

Peaceful because of soldiers like these. Iraqi soldiers guarding against a terrorist minority inspirited by foreign influences. Iraqi soldiers guarding Iraqi polls so Iraqi citizens could vote on an Iraqi constitution formulated by Iraqis.

A day of pride and hope for all of Iraq, no matter what the outcome of the vote.

A day in which Iraq the Model (who is photoblogging the day) could vote yes. A day in which Healing Iraq could break a seven-month silence on his blog to post a single sentence: I voted against.

Because in the end, it is not whether the constitution passes or not, it is that the people have a voice. If it passes, the struggle for democracy will not end for there are many challenges ahead. If it fails, the struggle for democracy will not end because the ministers will gather once again to construct another (and hopefully better) version, and the people’s voice will again be heard.

The constitution is not perfect; no document of this import authored by man can be. Ibn Alrafidain explores some of the problems in a post but in the end decides to vote yes.

This picture of a policeman holding up his ink-stained finger after voting was posted by Iraqi blogger Sooni, who also blogged about his struggle with how to vote.

Many were proud to be able to participate:

“It is my duty and pleasure to participate in democracy,” said Hamed Humadi, a 61-year-old retired shopkeeper, as he dipped his right index finger in the bottle of blue ink, signifying the fact he voted. “All Iraqis should take part on this great day.”

Turnout was mixed:

Only about 20 people had voted in the Sunni town of Haditha, northwest of Baghdad, after three hours. Said Ahmad Fliha walked up the hill to the fortified polling station with the help of a relative and Iraqi soldier.

“I’m 75 years old. Everything is finished for me. But I’m going to vote because I want a good future for my children,” Fliha said. …

“I am an Iraqi citizen. Of course, I voted ‘yes,”‘ said Abid Ali Hussein, an elderly man with a white beard, as he left the area. “God willing, there will be no terrorism.”…

“I voted ‘no’ because the new government says if there is trouble in the future, Iraq could be split. I say there should be one nation,” said voter Obeidi Amir Nasser, 30.

Aljazeera, mouthpiece of terrorists, is covering the Sunnis’ dissatisfaction with the constitution and many “no” votes that would be cast in central Baghdad:

“This constitution was made by the Americans and Israelis and Iran and their friends in the Iraqi government,” said a teenager as his friends nodded in agreement. …

“I don’t know anything about it. Nobody told us. But I said ‘No’. After all, it was drawn up by the Americans,” said Ahmad Abu Zahra.

But it wasn’t drawn up by Americans. It was hammered out between the ethnic groups of Shi’ite, Kurdish and Sunni officials elected by Iraqis for just that purpose. There are those who believe the three groups cannot form a unified country, there are those who believe otherwise:

Most Sunni Arabs, the politically dominant community under Saddam, oppose the constitution, saying it provides too much power and influence to the Shi’ites and Kurds, giving them control over Iraq’s rich oil reserves in the north and south.

Others argue the constitution could bring the nation closer together, if more Sunni Arabs can be brought on board. One major Sunni party broke ranks last week in return for a promise that the charter would be fully reviewed after a December election.

Of course, we were told that the many tribes of Afghanistan couldn’t be united, and yet . . .

Just as in Afghanistan (and unlike most Arab governments), women are allowed to vote in Iraq.

“Today, I came to vote because I am tired of terrorists, and I want the country to be safe again,” said Zeinab Sahib, a 30-year-old mother of three, one of the first voters at a school in the mainly Shiite neighborhood of Karrada in Baghdad. “This constitution means unity and hope.”

And vote they did. A ban on vehicular traffic was imposed to cut down on car bombs (and looking back, it seems that the ban was effective) so people had to walk to the polls.

In the central Baghdad area of Khulani, where Sunnis and Shiites both live, a steady stream of voters entered a large polling station after being searched three times.

They included old men and women who could barely walk with canes, and young mothers wearing chadors and carrying infants. Other voters wore baggy traditional Kurdish dresses, and some youths were dressed in jeans.

Within three hours of voting starting, at least a quarter of registered voters cast ballots in Baghdad’s biggest Sunni Arab district, Azamiyah, where in January hardly a soul was seen in the January vote.

Pictured is a woman in traditional Kurdish dress casting her ballot. Kurds turned out in large numbers, most to support the constitution because it restores theirs rights and may serve as a stepping stone to one day establishing an independent Kurdistan.

Many women voted too, some dressed for the occasion in traditional full and brightly colored, embroidered costumes.

“I am taking part in the referendum to say ‘yes’ to a constitution that consecrates federalism and autonomy for our region,” said 20-year-old Nihayat Karim.

Among the few who admitted they would vote against the constitution was Yasin Wahhab, a 27-year-old teacher.

“I am not optimistic because I think the project carries the stamp of Shiite religious forces that want to control Iraq,” he said.

Now comes the tedious task of counting ballots, an effort that will take three or four days.

In Baghdad, celebratory gunfire rung out as poll workers began counting ballots across Iraq’s 18 provinces.

In Baghdad, men counted votes by lanterns because the electricity was out. Results were written on a chalkboard. Outside, Iraqi soldiers huddled in a courtyard, breaking their fast.

But no matter what the results of the referendum, one thing is clear: the Iraqi people are taking control of their destiny.

May God watch over them and grant them peace, prosperity and wisdom.